Susana Dominguez Martin

Códex Estudio de Encuadernación de Arte

Bookbinder

susana dominguez martin©irene serrat

Preserving the essence of the book

Susana explores the potential of materials she works with
Her techniques are classical and her designs are contemporary
Her work has been awarded several times

Susana Dominguez Martin discovered artisan bookbinding in Madrid in the 1980s. It all began when a friend taught her how to make a notebook. "For me, it felt like performing magic with a few loose elements – some paper, cardboard, thread, needle, and glue – which, when combined and worked, turned into a useful and beautiful object," says Susana. "Back then, there were no official study centres for bookbinding. To learn, I attended courses in the workshops and private studios of different masters: María Manso from the Palomino school; Ana Ruiz and Lorenzo González from the Cizalla school; Josefa Crespí de Valldaura and Beatriz Moreno de Borbón in their shared studio; and with Guadalupe Roldán Morales, with whom I began my learning and profession." Since 2006, Susana has continued her training based on research.

Interview

©Irene Serrat

©Susana Dominguez

How do you approach the creative moment?: The act of creation is a personal dialogue, with oneself and with the object. It is a form of expression and communication that goes beyond words, a form of freedom that allows the exploring of unknown territories. This is when I make breakthroughs that mark both personal and professional turning points.
How and when did your role as a researcher begin?: In 2001, I participated in an exhibition of artistic bookbindings where I discovered contemporary decorative techniques from another colleague who had trained in France. His work was pivotal in defining my current professional career as a researcher of decorative techniques, materials and structures.
What do you seek when binding something?: When designing a binding, I first need to know the content of the piece. If it is a book, I read the book, and from this, my dialogue with materials and colour begins. Binding aims to protect the written or illustrated document. My job is to protect it in the best possible way, while adapting the design to the content and to the times we live in.
Do you still keep the first piece you made?: Yes, it was a notebook that I still keep despite being poorly made and aesthetically very questionable! But I keep it and show it to my students as proof that, no matter how bad the beginnings are, you can always learn and improve.

Susana Dominguez Martin is a master artisan: she began her career in 1995 and she started teaching in 2006